As winter readies its icy grip, it's time to make sure you're prepared

ILAWS SCOTLAND ARE THE EXPERTS WHEN IT COMES TO SAFEGUARDING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

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YOU may have noticed that things have been getting a little darker and chillier of late, not to mention the havoc wreaked by Storm Amy.

And with the clocks going back at the end of the month, winter will definitely start taking hold - with everything that that entails.

Longer nights, low temperatures, lots of rain and regular storms with the risk of snow and ice, particularly on high ground, all add up to a lot of risk, particularly for older and more vulnerable people.

Whatever stage of life you're at, though, you can never be sure when or where problems will arise, from storm damage and flooding to cold weather-related health difficulties, road accidents, slips and falls.

That's one reason among many why it's so important to be prepared for whatever life can throw at you by sorting out your affairs - such as by writing a will, arranging power of attorney (POA), or setting up a protected property trust (PPT).

The longer you put these things off, the more severe the repercussions could be for you and your family, who could be left with a nightmare situation not only after you're gone, but right now.

Power of attorney is a legal arrangement that allows you to nominate a person or persons to make decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so, for example due to serious injury, ill health, or mental incapacitation.

Without it, your loved ones could find themselves in real difficulty, powerless to intervene in the most crucial decisions.

Tony Marchi and his team of estate planners at ILAWS Scotland deal with these issues every day, on behalf of their clients all over the country.

They specialise in giving people at all stages in life the legal protections and peace of mind that they need.